Westworld actress Thandie Newton describes the spice as “extraordinary”, and adds it to tinted moisturiser for a base or a spoonful to a glass of water. Why? Because turmeric, the deep orange root from India, is amazing for your skin.
Native to Southeast Asia, it is often found in curries, giving the food its brilliant, golden orange colour. Turmeric is used as a balancing ingredient in Ayurvedic diets and is associated with many health benefits.
And Indian brides have long used the spice as a head-to-toe body scrub and face mask to brighten skin before their weddings.
Don’t worry you won’t have to mainline curries to get your daily dose of turmeric! It’s readily available on the shelves in the form of a turmeric mask, as well as a cleanser that contains the root. You can also drink turmeric in the form of a tea like Numi Organic Turmeric Tea, or add to drinks in the form of a supplement like Health Ranger's Organic Turmeric Gold Liquid Extract.
DIY it
It's also really simple to make your own turmeric face mask. Simply mix two tablespoons of regular flour, rice flour or ground oats with a teaspoon of turmeric, a few drops of honey and three tablespoons of milk or yoghurt to make a paste. Apply a thin layer to your face and let it dry for 20 minutes. Rinse off in the shower, scrubbing gently with a soft cloth to remove. After drying skin follow with your favourite moisturiser.
As long as you apply a very thin layer of the mask, it won’t turn your face yellow or orange!
Buy it
If you don’t fancy plastering yourself in the vibrantly coloured spice, there are some beauty products available which make use of its best qualities. Top of our list is Kiehl’s Turmeric and Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Masque. This invigorating formulation helps to visibly even the look of skin while the crushed cranberry seeds gently exfoliate for a smoother, brighter complexion.
Just cleanse and tone your face before applying a visible layer of the masque onto clean skin. Allow to dry for 5-10 minutes before rinsing with warm water and massaging skin in a gentle, circular motion, allowing the cranberry seeds to exfoliate skin. Juara Turmeric Antioxidant Radiance Mask similarly detoxifies, brightens, and strengthens the skin.
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